The in-laws and the sister of a Rancho Palos Verdes woman killed in Mexico are scheduled to make their pitch to a judge today as to who is best qualified to be named guardian of the slain woman’s two children.

David Beresford-Redman and his wife, Juanita Beresford-Redman, were named temporary guardians of Camila, 5, and Alec, 4, last month pending today’s hearing. They are the parents of Bruce Beresford-Redman, husband of the late Monica Beresford-Redman. He has been told by Mexican authorities to stay in that country while the investigation into his wife’s death continues.

“I have always been extremely close to Monica; she was my best friend,” Van Bastelaar says. “We told each other everything. I also have been very close to the children and have a wonderful relationship with them.”

The woman also says she would like to make her other sister, Jeane Burgos, co-guardian of the children and has no intention of keeping the boy and girl away from their paternal grandparents. “The children need to be around as much family as possible during this difficult time,” she says. “If I am appointed guardian, I intend to include David and Juanita in their upbringing as well because I think it is important for the children to maintain close ties to all family members.” But Van Bastelaar also states that David and Juanita Beresford-Redman, ages 77 and 73 respectively, “are not in good health. Specifically, Juanita suffers from lupus,” a disease which attacks the body’s immune system. Monica Beresford-Redman, a native of Brazil who ran a Brazilian restaurant in West Los Angeles, was found dumped in a septic tank at Hotel Moon Palace in Cancun on April 8. Bruce Beresford-Redman, formerly a producer of the television show “Survivor,” was questioned about his wife’s apparent strangulation death, but has not been charged with any crime. In his declaration in support of an extension of the temporary guardianship granted him and his wife, David Beresford-Redman says his granddaughter knows her mother died and told a classmate “my mother is dead.” But he says he is not as sure that his grandson understands. “Unlike Camila, I do not believe Alec fully grasps that his mother is dead,” he says. “My wife and I respond to his questions as best we can.” The children’s grandfather rejected criticisms made at the April court hearing by their nanny, Maria-Beatrice Oaxaca. He said she claimed the children were afraid of him and that he and his wife were only with them at parties. “I categorically reject Ms. Oaxaca’s characterization of my relationship with Camila or Alec as negative in any way,” his declaration states. “I have never had any problems in my relationship with the children. I believe I have always been an affectionate, caring and thoughtful grandfather towards Camila and Alec and that they have reciprocated those feelings to me.” He also is unhappy with comments to the media by his daughter-in-law’s sisters since the death of their sibling.

“Both Carla and Jeane have exhibited significant hostility toward Bruce in their multiple media appearances, and I am concerned that they will relay their negative feelings toward Bruce to the children,” he said. David Beresford-Redman said he has offered Jeane Burgos visitation with the children, but that when she comes to their house, she spends most of her time on the phone rather than with her niece and nephew.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.